Don’t Give Up Meeting Together

Over the past three months of Covid-19 restrictions, one verse from the Bible has continued to come to mind: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25).

God’s word clearly tells us that followers of Jesus need to make sure we keep meeting together so that we can keep encouraging one another whilst we wait the return of Jesus, but until last weekend, we’ve been told to keep the building closed to the public.

Yet, even though these restrictions have been hard for us, we have followed them because we gladly submit to our ruling authorities, knowing that they are sent for our good (Romans 13:1,4).

Plus, using the technology of live-streaming, we’ve been able to keep hearing God’s word together, and sharing in video conferences to keep encouraging one another after the online gathering.

As people of the new covenant we know that we meet Christ in his word by his Spirit, and that the temple is now his body, of which we are members by faith (1 Peter 2:5).

So, that’s why we’ve still been able to keep meeting together through video screens, even though we’ve been physically separate.

But now we’re allowed to come together again, how sweet is it to be in the same room together at the same time!

We look forward to the final aspects of the Covid-19 restrictions being eventually lifted for church, but even as we cannot properly sing when gathered, we can come together and set our minds on things above as we hear psalms, hymns and spiritual songs sung to us, for our reflection and encouragement (Colossians 3:16).

And though we long to be able to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16), or at least a handshake, we know that we are fully connected through our union with Christ, knowing that we can’t get closer to each other than being part of the very same body! Amen!

JODIE McNEILL